'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Los Angeles: Rankin/Bass Productions, 1974. Draft script for the 1974 animated Christmas television special, originally aired on CBS on December 8, 1974. From the archive of screenwriter Jerome Coopersmith.

A children's Christmas tale loosely based on Clement Moore's classic 1823 poem. Although produced in the US, the special was animated in Japan by Topcraft, an animation studio later linked to Studio Ghibli. Topcraft would collaborate numerous times with Rankin/Bass throughout the 1970s and 1980s, most notably on "The Hobbit" (1977) and "The Last Unicorn" (1982).

Script housed in a mylar folder with a navy blue binding. Pink titled William Morris Agency wrappers. Title page present, dated 3-12-74, with credits for Moore and screenwriter Jerome Coopersmith. 36 leaves, with last page of text numbered 34. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, wrappers Near Fine, bound internally with three silver brads.

[Book #169951]